A qanun player in Dubai sits behind a flat, trapezoid shaped zither and plucks its many strings with small picks on the fingertips. The sound is bright and rippling, the ornament you hear on classic Arabic recordings. You can book a qanun player on their own, with an oud player, or inside a takht ensemble, for a wedding, a corporate dinner, a hotel, a cultural event or a Ramadan night in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Send your date and venue, and we send the qanun players who are free, with videos and a price.
Price: oud and qanun players start from AED 2,000. The final price depends on the season, availability and how you customise the performance. A trio with percussion is quoted per event. See oud and qanun prices in Dubai.
What the qanun is
The qanun is a traditional Middle Eastern string instrument and has been part of Arabic music for centuries. Its name comes from the Arabic word for law or norm, a nod to its role in setting the pitch for the rest of the ensemble. You may also see it spelled kanun, qanoon or kanoon. In Arabic it is قانون. All of these are the same instrument.
The player rests the qanun on the lap or on a low stand and plucks with both hands. While an oud carries the rhythm and the harmony, the qanun adds fast melodic runs and ornaments on top. On its own, it sounds delicate and elegant. Next to an oud, it sounds like a full classical Arabic ensemble in miniature.
Ways to book a qanun player
Solo qanun. Background music for a dinner, a hotel lobby or a cultural evening. Calm, refined and easy to talk over.
Qanun and oud. The classic pairing for a gala dinner, an embassy function or a wedding where the family wants a traditional tarab sound. See the oud and qanun duo.
Qanun in an ensemble. Add a violin, a darbuka, a nay flute or a singer for a richer sound that carries across a ballroom. See the Arabic takht ensemble.
Music and style
Qanun players perform classical Arabic compositions, Egyptian and Levantine tarab, and lighter arrangements of contemporary songs. You can choose the songs, from a few favourites to a full list, and you can ask for a fusion set that mixes Arabic melodies with modern music. Send the list at least a week before the event so the musician can prepare.
You also choose the costume: formal Arabic dress, a dark suit or an evening dress, to match your dress code and the tone of the event.
Where a qanun fits
- Weddings. During the arrival, the cocktail hour or dinner. See oud and qanun for weddings.
- Corporate events. Gala dinners, receptions and cultural nights. See corporate and hotel events.
- Hotels and restaurants. A refined sound for the lobby or the dining room.
- Ramadan. Soft music after iftar or at suhoor, alone or with an oud and a nay player. See Ramadan and iftar.
- Cultural festivals and private gatherings. Majlis evenings, family celebrations and heritage events.
Female qanun players
You can ask for a female qanun player, for example for a ladies' majlis or a women-only part of a wedding. Say so in your first message, so the team checks the right players for your date.
Sound and setup
The qanun is an acoustic instrument with a gentle volume. In a small room or a majlis, guests hear it clearly without a speaker. In a ballroom or outdoors, the player needs a microphone and a small speaker, and the sound system can be provided if the venue has none. The musician needs a chair and a stable spot close to where your guests sit.
Who plays
The qanun players are selected after auditions and kept on the list based on client feedback after each event. They have years of experience in hotels, restaurants and events in Dubai. Before you confirm, you get videos of the players who are free on your date. Watch more on the videos page.
Qanun player in Abu Dhabi
The same team books qanun players for weddings, corporate galas, cultural events and private parties in Abu Dhabi. See oud and qanun players in Abu Dhabi.
Qanun for Ramadan
During Ramadan the qanun is one of the most requested instruments for iftars, suhoor evenings and hotel Ramadan tents. It plays softly after iftar, on its own or with an oud. See oud and qanun players for Ramadan and book early: Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027.
Book a qanun player
Send the date, the venue, the guest count, the line-up you have in mind and a few songs on WhatsApp or through the quote form. If you are not sure whether you need a solo qanun or a duo, the planning guide helps you choose by room size.
